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LEGENDARY SONGWRITER AND BEST-SELLING FEMALE COUNTRY ARTIST SHANIA TWAIN WILL TAKE THE STAGE TO HOST THE 

61ST ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS FOR THE FIRST TIME

61st ACM Awards Makes Its Triumphant Return to Las Vegas on May 17, 2026

Streaming Live Around the Globe from MGM Grand Garden Arena,

Exclusively on Prime Video and Amazon Music

Great Seats for the 61st ACM Awards and ACM Awards Week Events Just Released at AXS.COM

Media and Social Assets HERE

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — April 22, 2026 — Today, the Academy of Country Music® (ACM), Prime Video, and Dick Clark Productions (DCP) announced that legendary songwriter and best-selling female country artist Shania Twain will host the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards for the first time. The 61st ACM Awards will stream live exclusively for a global audience across 240+ countries and territories on Prime Video on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT from the world-renowned MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fans will also be able to watch the broadcast on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, as well as in the Amazon Music app.

As the top-selling female country-pop artist of all time, globally celebrated songwriter, artist, and performer Shania Twain has established herself as one of music’s most iconic and influential voices. A three-time ACM Award winner and five-time GRAMMY Award winner, Twain helped redefine country music for a global audience with her bold, boundary-pushing sound and undeniable crossover appeal. With six acclaimed studio albums and more than 100 million albums sold worldwide, her influence continues to shape the music industry today.

“I’m thrilled to be hosting the 61st ACM Awards in Las Vegas, a place that feels like home.” said Twain. “It’s such an honor to be part of this incredible night celebrating Country Music’s biggest stars, especially with so many talented women leading nominations this year. I can’t wait to welcome all of the fans and artists out for this unforgettable night.”

“We are honored to welcome global music superstar Shania Twain as our host this year,” ACM CEO Damon Whiteside said. “We couldn’t imagine a more perfect icon to follow our previous iconic hosts, Dolly, Garth, and Reba, blending one of the most important nights in Country Music with the excitement of Las Vegas . Shania has an impressive history on the ACM Awards stage including her win of the coveted ACM Entertainer of the Year trophy and receiving the ACM Poet’s Award honoring her prolific songwriting career.”

Returning to the Sunday night timeslot, the Emmy-nominated, star-powered ACM Awards experience will feature unprecedented performances, exclusive collaborations, and unexpected moments from the biggest Country Music stars, including performances by Cody Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, and Riley Green, with more to be announced in the coming weeks.

Leading up to the big night, the Academy of Country Music will take over Las Vegas with previously announced ACM Awards week events including a “Whiskey Jam Welcome Party” at Ole Red Las Vegas on Thursday, May 14 with Avery Anna, Caroline Jones, Jenna Paulette, and The Band Perry; “ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green: Riley Green & Friends” at Topgolf Las Vegas Friday, May 15 with Lauren Alaina, Randy Houser, and Rodney Atkins, alongside headliner Riley Green; as well as “ACM Next Wave: Country’s Beach Bash” at Mandalay Bay Beach Saturday, May 16 with Ashley Cooke, Braxton Keith, Dasha, Flatland Cavalry, Keith Urban, Tucker Wetmore, and more.

Tickets for the 61st ACM Awards and ACM Awards week events are available for purchase on AXS.com, offering fans exclusive entry into a nonstop weekend packed with performances by their favorite Country stars.

Fans can also stream the Official ACM Awards playlist available now on Amazon Music in celebration of this year’s nominees. Fans can listen to country music’s biggest stars, such as Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, and Lainey Wilson, directly on the Amazon Music app HERE.

Established in 1966, the Academy of Country Music Awards is the longest-running Country Music awards show and made history in 2022 as the first major awards ceremony to exclusively livestream, in collaboration with Prime Video. The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions (DCP). Raj Kapoor and Patrick Menton are executive producers, with Kapoor also serving as showrunner. Damon Whiteside serves as executive producer for the Academy of Country Music, and Jay Penske and Barry Adelman serve as executive producers for DCP. John Saade will also continue to serve as consulting producer for Amazon MGM Studios.

Additional performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks. The Media Credential Application to cover on-site in Las Vegas, Nevada, is now available HERE.

The Mountain Valley® Spring Water (Instagram: @mountainvalleywater) is the Official Water of the Academy of Country Music Awards.

Follow the Academy of Country Music on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok, join the conversation with #ACMawards, and sign up for the FREE ACM A-List to be the first to know the latest news and for exclusive pre-sale opportunities.

About the Academy of Country Music:

Founded in Southern California in 1964 as a regional trade organization, the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC (ACM) has grown over the past 60 years into a leading association for the Country Music industry. Headquartered in Nashville, TN and boasting record-high membership of more than 5,000 worldwide, the Academy serves as a powerhouse advocate for Country fans, artists, and all facets of the business, as well as a supporter of philanthropic work through charitable partner ACM LIFTING LIVES, dedicated to improving lives through the power of music and providing aid in times of need, with a focus on health initiatives. 2026 continues to be a landmark year for the Academy, building on last year’s success of the 60th ACM Awards, hosted by entertainment icon Reba McEntire, which returned to the Dallas Cowboys' world headquarters in Texas for a third consecutive year and streamed live to a global audience on Prime Video. The Academy also remains relentlessly committed to creating a more inclusive environment for underrepresented groups in Country Music, from the boardroom to the stage, and proudly presents ACM Level Up, a two-year professional development and enrichment curriculum for rising leaders, among other initiatives. For more information, visit ACMcountry.com or ACMLiftingLives.org.

About Dick Clark Productions:

Dick Clark Productions (DCP) is the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live event entertainment programming including “The Golden Globes,” the largest awards show in the world to celebrate the best of film, television and podcasting, “American Music Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” the No. 1 entertainment special in America, “Golden Eve,” “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Rising Stars of Country Music,” Emmy®-winning series “So You Think You Can Dance,” and “American Bandstand,” the iconic and groundbreaking cultural phenomenon that defined a generation. Dick Clark Productions also possesses one of the world’s most extensive and unique entertainment archive libraries with more than 60 years of award-winning shows, historic specials, performances, and legendary programming. Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Corporation. For more information, please visit DickClark.com.

About Prime Video:

Prime Video is a first-stop entertainment destination offering customers a vast collection of premium programming in one app available across thousands of devices. On Prime Video, customers can customize their viewing experience and find their favorite movies, series, documentaries, and live sports – including Amazon MGM Studios-produced series and movies Red One, Road House, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Fallout, Reacher, The Boys, Cross, and The Idea of You; licensed fan favorites; Prime member exclusive access to coverage of live sports including Thursday Night Football, WNBA, and NWSL, and acclaimed sports documentaries including Bye Bye Barry and Kelce; and programming from partners such as Apple TV+, Max, Crunchyroll and MGM+ via Prime Video add-on subscriptions, as well as more than 500 free ad-supported (FAST) Channels. Prime members in the U.S. can share a variety of benefits, including Prime Video, by using Amazon Household. Prime Video is one benefit among many that provides savings, convenience, and entertainment as part of the Prime membership. All customers, regardless of whether they have a Prime membership or not, can rent or buy titles via the Prime Video Store and can enjoy even more content for free with ads. Customers can also go behind the scenes of their favorite movies and series with exclusive X-Ray access. For more info, visit www.amazon.com/primevideo.

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60th ACM Awards Electronic Press Kit

Show Clips HERE; Getty Images HERE; EPK/Video Footage HERE

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WOMEN LEAD NOMINATIONS FOR THE 61ST ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS

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Nominations are Led by Megan Moroney (nine), Followed by Miranda Lambert (eight), Ella Langley (seven), Lainey Wilson (seven), Chris Stapleton (six), Zach Top (five), and Cody Johnson (four)

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61st ACM Awards Returns to Las Vegas on May 17, 2026

Live from MGM Grand Garden Arena,

Exclusively on Prime Video and Amazon Music

‍

Tickets for the 61st ACM Awards and ACM Awards Week Events are Now Available at AXS.COM

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Media and Social Assets HERE

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — April 9, 2026 — Today, the Academy of Country Music® (ACM), Prime Video, and Dick Clark Productions (DCP) announced nominations for the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, with Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, and Lainey Wilson receiving the most nominations. The 61st ACM Awards will stream live exclusively for a global audience across 240+ countries and territories on Prime Video on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT from the world-renowned MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fans will also be able to watch the broadcast on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, as well as in the Amazon Music app.

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Returning to the Sunday night timeslot, the Emmy-nominated, star-powered ACM Awards experience will feature unprecedented performances, exclusive collaborations, and unexpected moments from the biggest Country Music stars, including performances by Cody Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, and Riley Green, with more to be announced in the coming weeks. Leading up to the big night, the Academy of Country Music will take over Las Vegas with previously announced ACM Awards week events including “ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green: Riley Green & Friends” at Topgolf Las Vegas Friday, May 15 with Lauren Alaina, Randy Houser, and Rodney Atkins, alongside headliner Riley Green, as well as “ACM Next Wave: Country’s Beach Bash” at Mandalay Bay Beach Saturday, May 16 with Ashley Cooke, Braxton Keith, Dasha, Flatland Cavalry, Tucker Wetmore, and more.

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Tickets for the 61st ACM Awards and ACM Awards week events are available for purchase on AXS.com, offering fans exclusive entry into a nonstop weekend packed with performances by their favorite Country stars.

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Fans can also stream the Official ACM Awards playlist available now on Amazon Music in celebration of this year’s nominees. Fans can listen to country music’s biggest stars, such as Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, and Lainey Wilson, directly on the Amazon Music app HERE.

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NOMINEE HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE 61ST ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS:

• Female artists lead with the most nominations, including Megan Moroney with nine nominations, followed by Miranda Lambert with eight nominations, and then followed by Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson, tied with seven nominations each. 
• Megan Moroney leads with the most nominations, and the most nominations across categories, with nine total, including her first nomination for Entertainer of the Year and Artist-Songwriter of the Year, and third consecutive nomination for Female Artist of the Year and Visual Media of the Year (“6 Months Later”) as an Artist, and her first as Director. Moroney also receives nominations for Song of the Year (“Am I Ok?”) as an Artist and Songwriter, Single of the Year (“6 Months Later”), and Music Event of the Year (“You Had To Be There") with Kenny Chesney.
• Miranda Lambert, the most-decorated artist in ACM Awards history, receives eight nominations, the most nominations she’s received in a single year since 2016. She receives her 17th nomination for Female Artist of the Year and her ninth nomination for Song of the Year, and 16th total nomination (including Artist and Songwriter credits) in the category.
• Ella Langley, the reigning ACM New Female Artist of the Year, receives seven nominations. This is her first nomination in the Artist-Songwriter of the Year category, as well as her first nomination credited as a Producer for Single of the Year (“Choosin’ Texas”). 
• Lainey Wilson, the reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year, receives seven nominations. This marks her fourth consecutive nomination for Female Artist of the Year and third straight nod for Entertainer of the Year, categories she has won every year she’s been nominated. Wilson’s nomination for Song of the Year (“Somewhere Over Laredo”), marks her fifth consecutive in the category and ninth total nomination overall (including Artist and Songwriter credits) in the category.
• Chris Stapleton, the reigning Male Artist of the Year, receives the most nominations for a male artist with six total, including his fifth consecutive nomination for Entertainer of the Year and his 11th consecutive nomination for Male Artist of the Year (an award he’s won five times).
• Zach Top, the reigning New Male Artist of the Year, receives five nominations, including his first for Male Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (“I Never Lie”), both as an Artist and Songwriter, and for Single of the Year (“I Never Lie”).
• Cody Johnson receives his third consecutive nomination for Entertainer of the Year, as well as his fourth consecutive nomination for Visual Media of the Year (“The Fall”).
• Riley Green receives four nominations, his third consecutive for Music Event of the Year, and his first-ever nominations for Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year (Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe), and Artist-Songwriter of the Year. 
• Morgan Wallen receives his fourth consecutive nomination for Entertainer of the Year and Artist-Songwriter of the Year, and his third nomination for Album of the Year (I’m The Problem). 
• Luke Combs receives his seventh consecutive nomination for both Entertainer of the Year and Male Artist of the Year. A win for Combs in the Entertainer category will also clinch the coveted Triple Crown Award, which consists of an Entertainer of the Year win, plus wins in an act’s respective New Artist (Male, Female, Duo or Group) and Artist (Male, Female, Duo or Group) categories. Past ACM Triple Crown Award recipients include Lainey Wilson, Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, and others. Combs earns his third nomination for Artist-Songwriter of the Year.
• Jelly Roll receives his third consecutive nomination for Entertainer of the Year.
• Parker McCollum receives his first-ever nomination for Album of the Year (Parker McCollum).
• Old Dominion receive their 11th consecutive nomination for Group of the Year. The group has taken home the title every year for the last eight years, passing Rascal Flatts for the most consecutive wins in the category. 
• Brothers Osborne receive their 19th overall nomination. This is their 12th consecutive year being nominated for Duo of the Year, an award the pair has brought home four times.
• Kelsea Ballerini receives her ninth nomination for Female Artist of the Year. 
• Rascal Flatts receive their 14th nomination for Group of the Year.
• Reba McEntire receives her first nomination since 2020, making this her seventh nomination for Music Event of the Year (“Trailblazer”).
• Every Song of the Year nominee is also credited as a songwriter on their respective track, with Miranda Lambert earning two separate nominations in the category.

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FIRST TIME NOMINEES INCLUDE:

• 49 Winchester
• Avery Anna
• Mackenzie Carpenter
• Carter Faith
• Caroline Jones
• Vincent Mason
• Emily Ann Roberts
• Thelma & James (*MacKenzie Porter nominated for Music Event of the Year in 2022 with Dustin Lynch)
• Hudson Westbrook
• Stephen Wilson Jr.

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The following is the full list of nominees for the ACM Main Awards categories:

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MAIN AWARDS:

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ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

• Luke Combs
• Jelly Roll
• Cody Johnson
• Megan Moroney
• Chris Stapleton
• Morgan Wallen
• Lainey Wilson

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Kelsea Ballerini
• Miranda Lambert
• Ella Langley
• Megan Moroney
• Lainey Wilson

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MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Luke Combs
• Riley Green
• Cody Johnson
• Chris Stapleton
• Zach Top

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GROUP OF THE YEAR

• 49 Winchester
• Flatland Cavalry
• Old Dominion
• Rascal Flatts
• The Red Clay Strays

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DUO OF THE YEAR

• Brooks & Dunn
• Brothers Osborne
• Dan + Shay
• Muscadine Bloodline
• Thelma & James

NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Avery Anna
• Mackenzie Carpenter
• Dasha
• Caroline Jones
• Emily Ann Roberts

NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Gavin Adcock
• Vincent Mason
• Shaboozey
• Hudson Westbrook
• Tucker Wetmore

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ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

• Ain’t In It For My Health - Zach Top

Producer: Carson Chamberlain

Record Company-Label: Leo33

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•  Cherry Valley - Carter Faith

Producer: Tofer Brown

Record Company-Label: Gatsby Records / MCA

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•  Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe) - Riley Green

Producer: Dann Huff, Michael Knox

Record Company-Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment

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•  I’m The Problem - Morgan Wallen

Producers: Joey Moi, Charlie Handsome, Jacob Durrett

Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records

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• Parker McCollum - Parker McCollum

Producers: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse

Record Company-Label: MCA

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SONG OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]

• A Song To Sing - Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton

Songwriters: Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Jenee Fleenor, Jesse Frasure

Publishers: I Wrote These Songs; Pink Dog Publishing; Songs for the Munch Music; Songs of Influence; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp

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•  Am I Okay? - Megan Moroney

Songwriters: Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, Jessie Jo Dillon

Publishers: Big Ass Pile of Dimes Music; Big Music Machine

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• Choosin’ Texas - Ella Langley

Songwriters: Ella Langley, Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Joybeth Taylor

Publishers: Bada Bing & Bada Langley Publishing; Little Louder Songs; Sony Music Publishing

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• I Never Lie - Zach Top

Songwriters: Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols

Publishers: Music and Magazine Publishing; Rio Bravo Music Inc; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing; Too Broke to Quit Music; Zach Top Music

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• Somewhere Over Laredo - Lainey Wilson

Songwriters: Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Andy Albert, Harold Arlen & Yip Harburg

Publishers: Concord Sounds; Dtown Boogie Music; Emi Feist Catalog Inc; Songs Of Riser House; Songs Of Wild Cat Well Music; Sony/ATV Countryside; Story Farmer; Tacklebox Music Publishing

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SINGLE OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

• 6 Months Later - Megan Moroney

Producers: Kristian Bush

Record Company-Label: Sony Music Nashville / Columbia Records

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• Choosin’ Texas - Ella Langley

Producers: Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert, Ben West

Record Company-Label: SAWGOD / Columbia Records

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• I Never Lie - Zach Top

Producers: Carson Chamberlain

Record Company-Label: Leo33

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• Somewhere Over Laredo - Lainey Wilson

Producers: Jay Joyce

Record Company-Label: BBR Music Group / BMG Nashville / Broken Bow Records

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• The Fall - Cody Johnson

Producers: Trent Willmon

Record Company-Label: CoJo Music / Warner Records Nashville

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MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

• A Song To Sing - Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton

Producers: Dave Cobb

Record Company-Label: Republic Records

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• Amen - Shaboozey & Jelly Roll

Producers: Danny Majic, Nevin Sastry, Sean Cook

Record Company-Label: Empire

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• Don’t Mind If I Do - Riley Green feat. Ella Langley

Producers: Dann Huff, Michael Knox

Record Company-Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment

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• Trailblazer - Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson

Producers: Tony Brown, Reba McEntire

Record Company-Label: MCA

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• You Had To Be There - Megan Moroney & Kenny Chesney

Producers: Kristian Bush

Record Company-Label: Sony Music Nashville / Columbia Records

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VISUAL MEDIA OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]

• 6 Months Later - Megan Moroney

Producers: Christen Pinkston & Wesley Stebbins-Perry

Director: CeCe Dawson, Megan Moroney

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• A Song To Sing - Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton

Producers: James Stratakis

Director: Alexa King Stone, Stephen Kinigopoulos

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• Cuckoo -Stephen Wilson, Jr.

Producers: Tim Cofield

Director: Tim Cofield

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• Somewhere Over Laredo - Lainey Wilson

Producers: Katie Babbage

Director: TK McKamy

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• The Fall - Cody Johnson

Producers: Christen Pinkston & Wesley Stebbins-Perry

Director: Dustin Haney

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SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

• Jessie Jo Dillon
• Ashley Gorley
• Charlie Handsome
• Chase McGill
• Blake Pendergrass

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ARTIST-SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

• Luke Combs
• Riley Green
• Ella Langley
• Megan Moroney
• Morgan Wallen

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NOMINEES IN NUMERICAL ORDER:

• Megan Moroney (9): Entertainer of the Year; Female Artist of the Year; Song of the Year (Artist and Songwriter nominations); Single of the Year, Music Event of the Year; Visual Media of the Year (Artist and Director nominations); Artist-Songwriter of the Year
• Miranda Lambert (8): Female Artist of the Year; Song of the Year (“A Song To Sing” - Artist and Songwriter nominations); Song of the Year (“Choosin’ Texas” - Songwriter nomination); Single of the Year (Producer nomination); Music Event of the Year (“A Song To Sing” and “Trailblazer”); Visual Media of the Year
• Ella Langley (7): Female Artist of the Year; Song of the Year (Artist and Songwriter nominations); Single of the Year (Artist and Producer nominations); Music Event of the Year; Artist-Songwriter of the Year
• Lainey Wilson (7): Entertainer of the Year; Female Artist of the Year; Song of the Year (Artist and Songwriter); Single of the Year; Music Event of the Year; Visual Media of the Year
• Chris Stapleton (6): Entertainer of the Year; Male Artist of the Year; Song of the Year (Artist and Songwriter nominations); Music Event of the Year, Visual Media of the Year
• Zach Top (5): Male Artist of the Year; Album of the Year, Song of the Year (Artist and Songwriter nominations); Single of the Year
• Riley Green (4): Male Artist of the Year; Album of the Year; Music Event of the Year; Artist-Songwriter of the Year 
• Cody Johnson (4): Entertainer of the Year; Male Artist of the Year; Single of the Year; Visual Media of the Year
• Luke Combs (3): Entertainer of the Year; Male Artist of the Year; Artist-Songwriter 
• Morgan Wallen (3): Entertainer of the Year; Album of the Year; Artist-Songwriter 
• Jelly Roll (2): Entertainer of the Year; Music Event of the Year 
• Reba McEntire (2): Music Event of the Year; Music Event of the Year (Producer) 
• Shaboozey (2): New Male Artist of the Year; Music Event of the Year
• 49 Winchester (1): Group of the Year
• Gavin Adcock (1): New Male Artist of the Year
• Avery Anna (1): New Female Artist of the Year
• Kelsea Ballerini (1): Female Artist of the Year
• Brooks & Dunn (1): Duo of the Year
• Brothers Osborne (1): Duo of the Year
• Mackenzie Carpenter (1): New Female Artist of the Year
• Kenny Chesney (1): Music Event of the Year
• Dan + Shay (1): Duo of the Year
• Dasha (1): New Female Artist of the Year
• Carter Faith (1): Album of the Year
• Flatland Cavalry (1): Group of the Year
• Caroline Jones (1): New Female Artist of the Year
• Vincent Mason (1): New Male Artist of the Year
• Parker McCollum (1): Album of the Year
• Muscadine Bloodline (1): Duo of the Year
• Old Dominion (1): Group of the Year
• Rascal Flatts (1): Group of the Year
• The Red Clay Strays (1): Group of the Year
• Emily Ann Roberts (1): New Female Artist of the Year
• Thelma & James (1): Duo of the Year
• Hudson Westbrook (1): New Male Artist of the Year
• Tucker Wetmore (1): New Male Artist of the Year
• Stephen Wilson Jr. (1): Visual Media of the Year

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IMPORTANT NOTES:

• The eligibility period for submissions for the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards is January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025. 
• The awards count for artists reflects categories in which they have been recognized as individuals or as part of their duo or group. In some cases, an artist may receive more than one nomination per category, such as producer, director, or songwriter, which factors into their official count.
• Award recipients in each category are noted above in brackets in the Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Song of the Year, Video of the Year, and Music Event of the Year.
• Awards are voted on by members of the Academy of Country Music, which boasts a record-high membership this year of more than 5,000 members and serves as a powerhouse advocate for Country fans, artists, and all facets of the business.
• A full database of previous Academy of Country Music Awards nominations and winners can be found on the Academy of Country Music website in the “Past Winners” section found HERE.

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Established in 1966, the Academy of Country Music Awards is the longest-running Country Music awards show and made history in 2022 as the first major awards ceremony to exclusively livestream, in collaboration with Prime Video. The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions (DCP). Raj Kapoor and Patrick Menton are executive producers, with Kapoor also serving as showrunner. Damon Whiteside serves as executive producer for the Academy of Country Music, and Jay Penske and Barry Adelman serve as executive producers for DCP. John Saade will also continue to serve as consulting producer for Amazon MGM Studios.

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Additional performers, presenters, ACM Awards week events, and the host will be announced in the coming weeks. The Media Credential Application to cover on-site in Las Vegas, Nevada, is now available HERE.

‍

The Mountain Valley® Spring Water (Instagram: @mountainvalleywater) is the Official Water of the Academy of Country Music Awards.

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Follow the Academy of Country Music on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok, join the conversation with #ACMawards, and sign up for the FREE ACM A-List to be the first to know the latest news and for exclusive pre-sale opportunities.

‍

About the Academy of Country Music:

Founded in Southern California in 1964 as a regional trade organization, the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC (ACM) has grown over the past 60 years into a leading association for the Country Music industry. Headquartered in Nashville, TN and boasting record-high membership of more than 5,000 worldwide, the Academy serves as a powerhouse advocate for Country fans, artists, and all facets of the business, as well as a supporter of philanthropic work through charitable partner ACM LIFTING LIVES, dedicated to improving lives through the power of music and providing aid in times of need, with a focus on health initiatives. 2026 continues to be a landmark year for the Academy, building on last year’s success of the 60th ACM Awards, hosted by entertainment icon Reba McEntire, which returned to the Dallas Cowboys' world headquarters in Texas for a third consecutive year and streamed live to a global audience on Prime Video. The Academy also remains relentlessly committed to creating a more inclusive environment for underrepresented groups in Country Music, from the boardroom to the stage, and proudly presents ACM Level Up, a two-year professional development and enrichment curriculum for rising leaders, among other initiatives. For more information, visit ACMcountry.com or ACMLiftingLives.org.

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About Dick Clark Productions:

Dick Clark Productions (DCP) is the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live event entertainment programming including “The Golden Globes,” the largest awards show in the world to celebrate the best of film, television and podcasting, “American Music Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” the No. 1 entertainment special in America, “Golden Eve,” “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Rising Stars of Country Music,” Emmy®-winning series “So You Think You Can Dance,” and “American Bandstand,” the iconic and groundbreaking cultural phenomenon that defined a generation. Dick Clark Productions also possesses one of the world’s most extensive and unique entertainment archive libraries with more than 60 years of award-winning shows, historic specials, performances, and legendary programming. Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Corporation. For more information, please visit DickClark.com.

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About Prime Video: 

Prime Video is a first-stop entertainment destination offering customers a vast collection of premium programming in one app available across thousands of devices. On Prime Video, customers can customize their viewing experience and find their favorite movies, series, documentaries, and live sports – including Amazon MGM Studios-produced series and movies Red One, Road House, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Fallout, Reacher, The Boys, Cross, and The Idea of You; licensed fan favorites; Prime member exclusive access to coverage of live sports including Thursday Night Football, WNBA, and NWSL, and acclaimed sports documentaries including Bye Bye Barry and Kelce; and programming from partners such as Apple TV+, Max, Crunchyroll and MGM+ via Prime Video add-on subscriptions, as well as more than 500 free ad-supported (FAST) Channels. Prime members in the U.S. can share a variety of benefits, including Prime Video, by using Amazon Household. Prime Video is one benefit among many that provides savings, convenience, and entertainment as part of the Prime membership. All customers, regardless of whether they have a Prime membership or not, can rent or buy titles via the Prime Video Store and can enjoy even more content for free with ads. Customers can also go behind the scenes of their favorite movies and series with exclusive X-Ray access. For more info, visit www.amazon.com/primevideo.

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60th ACM Awards Electronic Press Kit

Show Clips HERE; Getty Images HERE; EPK/Video Footage HERE

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QUEEN LATIFAH TO HOST THE 52ND AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS

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Marking 30 Years Since Her AMAs Hosting Debut, the Legendary Artist, Actor, Producer, and Entrepreneur Will Welcome Audiences to the World’s Largest Fan-Voted Awards Show

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The Star-Studded Annual Special Airs Live on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT on CBS and Paramount+

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TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW ON AXS

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[EDITOR’S NOTE]: For assets, click HERE | For past performance clips, click HERE

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Los Angeles, CA - April 6, 2026 - Today, CBS and Dick Clark Productions (DCP), the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live event entertainment programming, announced that Grammy® award-winning musician, critically acclaimed Emmy and Golden Globe®-winning and Academy Award®-nominated actress and producer Queen Latifah will host the 52nd American Music Awards (AMAs). Queen Latifah has a longstanding history with the AMAs, previously serving as a co-host in 1995, and delivering memorable performances in the years since.

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As one of music’s most anticipated nights of the year, the 52nd American Music Awards returns to CBS and Paramount+ on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25 from the world-renowned MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the largest venue in the show’s history, to honor the most influential artists and songs of today alongside unforgettable performances and special moments in a multi-genre, cross-generational celebration of music. 

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Tickets for the star-studded must-see show are now available on AXS. 

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“I am so excited to return to the American Music Awards stage to host this year,” said Latifah. “It’s been an incredible year for music and there is no better place to celebrate than in Vegas.”

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“We’re thrilled to welcome Queen Latifah back as host of the American Music Awards,” said Jay Penske, CEO, Dick Clark Productions. “A true powerhouse and trailblazer, she brings a dynamic presence and deep connection to both fans and fellow artists, making her the perfect choice to lead a night celebrating the biggest names and most defining moments in music.”

Queen Latifah is a Grammy-winning artist and Oscar-nominated actress whose career spans music, film, television, and production. She earned an Academy Award nomination, along with Golden Globe and SAG nominations, for her role as “Mama Morton” in Chicago, and won both a Golden Globe and SAG Award for Life Support. A trailblazer in entertainment, she became the first hip-hop artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006 and has received seven Grammy nominations, winning Best Rap Solo Performance in 1994. Her cultural impact was further recognized with the National Medal of the Arts in 2024 and honors at the 2023 Kennedy Center Honors. Beyond acting, she has built a successful production career through Flavor Unit Entertainment, producing films and television projects including Bessie and The Perfect Holiday.

Making her big screen debut in Spike Lee’s 1991 film, Jungle Fever, Latifah then starred in Set It Off and co-starred with Holly Hunter and Danny DeVito in the critically acclaimed Living Out Loud. From 1993-1998, Latifah starred in the network comedy “Living Single.” Following Chicago, she starred in and executive-produced the box office hit Bringing Down the House. Her additional film credits include The Secret Life of Bees, alongside Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys and Dakota Fanning; Neil Meron and Craig Zadan’s Hairspray; Mad Money opposite Diane Keaton and Katie Holmes; Just Wright; Joyful Noise; The Last Holiday; Beauty Shop; Girls Trip alongside Jada Pinkett Smith, Regina Hall and Tiffany Haddish; and Hustle opposite Adam Sandler. She took to the stage and small screen performing as the title character in the television musical The Wiz Live! and as “Ursula” in ABC’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid.

In recent years, Latifah headlined and executive produced CBS’ “The Equalizer,” which became the #1 new series in the 2020-2021 season. Looking ahead, she is set to reprise her role as “Ellie” in Ice Age: Boiling Point, continuing her long-running involvement in the popular animated franchise.

Nominations for the 52^nd American Music Awards will be announced on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Fan voting opens the same day, April 14, and will remain open until May 8, 2026. 

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Additional details, including performers, presenters, and special honorees for the 52^nd AMAs, will be announced in the coming weeks.

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Named one of 2025’s most-watched television specials, last year’s top-rated 51st American Music Awards reached over 10 million unique viewers across its CBS and Paramount+ premiere on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, and encores on MTV, CMT, and BET. The CBS broadcast marked the show’s largest audience since 2019 with a +38% increase over its last live airing in 2022 on ABC. 

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Airing for the first time on Memorial Day, the 2025 AMAs kicked off summer with host Jennifer Lopez, who returned to host a decade after her AMAs hosting debut in 2015. She opened the 51st American Music Awards in spectacular fashion, delivering a non-stop, breathtaking medley of 23 of the year’s biggest hits. Performances included ICON Award recipient Janet Jackson; Alex Warren, Becky G and Manuel Turizo, Benson Boone, Blake Shelton, Gloria Estefan, Gwen Stefani, Lainey Wilson, Reneé Rapp, and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Rod Stewart.

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About the American Music Awards:

• Celebrating the year’s most iconic music, the American Music Awards is the world’s largest fan-voted award show, honoring today’s most influential artists and their passionate fanbases. 
• Created by legendary producer and visionary Dick Clark and first awarded in 1974, the American Music Awards is known for delivering half a century worth of iconic performances and enduring moments that have defined and shaped pop culture, as well as a history of introducing audiences to breakthrough artists. 
• The American Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions.

For the latest news, exclusive content, and updates, follow the AMAs:

Website: TheAMAs.com

X: @AMAs

Instagram: @AMAs

TikTok: @AMAs

Facebook: @AMAs

Threads: @AMAs 

YouTube: @TheAMAs

Hashtag: #AMAs

About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation

Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next‐generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct‐to‐Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, CBS – America’s most‐watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information please visit www.paramount.com.

About Dick Clark Productions  

Dick Clark Productions (DCP) is the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live event entertainment programming including “The Golden Globes,” the largest awards show in the world to celebrate the best of film, television and podcasting, “American Music Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” the No. 1 entertainment special in America, “Golden Eve,” “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Rising Stars of Country Music,” Emmy®-winning series “So You Think You Can Dance,” and “American Bandstand,” the iconic and groundbreaking cultural phenomenon that defined a generation. Dick Clark Productions also possesses one of the world’s most extensive and unique entertainment archive libraries with more than 60 years of award-winning shows, historic specials, performances, and legendary programming. Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Corporation. For more information, please visit DickClark.com 

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About MGM Grand Garden Arena

The MGM Grand Garden Arena is home to concerts, championship boxing and premier sporting and special events. The Arena offers comfortable seating for as many as 16,800 with excellent sightlines and state-of-the-art acoustics, lighting and sound. Prominent events to date have included world championship fights between Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson as well as Floyd Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez as well as Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao; and concerts by The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Bette Midler, George Strait, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, U2, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Coldplay, Alicia Keys, Jimmy Buffett and the Barbra Streisand Millennium Concert. The MGM Grand Garden Arena also has been home to annual events including the Academy of Country Music Awards, the Billboard Music Awards, the Latin GRAMMY Awards, iHeartRadio Music Festival, Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Championship and Frozen Fury NHL pre-season games hosted by the Los Angeles Kings. 

*Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on-demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live, but will have access to on-demand the day after the special airs.

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[MEDIA APPLICATION] For more about press opportunities leading up to the show and on-site in Las Vegas, please fill out the Press Credential Application at your earliest convenience.

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QUEEN LATIFAH

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Queen Latifah is a Grammy award-winning musician, critically acclaimed television and Oscar-nominated film actress, producer, label president, author and entrepreneur. Latifah has had amazing success since her career began in Hollywood and became the first hip-hop artist to be crowned with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006. She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, a Golden Globe nomination and a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award nomination for her portrayal of “Mama Morton” in the feature musical CHICAGO. She also received an Emmy Award nomination, a Golden Globe win, and a SAG Award win for her role in the cable film LIFE SUPPORT. She received a National Medal of the Arts from the United States Government in 2024 and was a 2023 honoree at The 46th Kennedy Center Honors. 

Making her big screen debut in Spike Lee’s 1991 film, JUNGLE FEVER, Latifah then starred in SET IT OFF and co-starred with Holly Hunter and Danny DeVito in the critically acclaimed LIVING OUT LOUD. From 1993-1998, Latifah starred in the network comedy “Living Single.” Following CHICAGO, she starred in and executive-produced the box office hit BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE. Her additional film credits include THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES, alongside Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys and Dakota Fanning; Neil Meron and Craig Zadan’s HAIRSPRAY, MAD MONEY opposite Diane Keaton and Katie Holmes; JUST WRIGHT; JOYFUL NOISE; THE LAST HOLIDAY; and BEAUTY SHOP. She also starred in and executive-produced the cable movie adaptation of STEEL MAGNOLIAS. From 2013-2014, she was the host of “The Queen Latifah Show,” which she produced with partner Shakim Compere and Overbrook Entertainment’s Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith and James Lassiter.

In May 2015, Latifah made her way back to the small screen, earning an Emmy Award nomination, Golden Globe nomination and a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries for her role in the cable film BESSIE, which she also produced.

In 2017, Latifah starred in the hit comedy GIRLS TRIP, alongside Jada Pinkett Smith, Regina Hall and Tiffany Haddish. She also starred in the 2016 faith-based movie MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN, opposite Jennifer Garner, and reprised her role in ICE AGE: COLLISION COURSE. Latifah also starred in the FOX hit series “Star,” which had its series finale May 2019. Additionally, she took to the stage and small screen performing as the title character in the television musical THE WIZ LIVE!, alongside Uzo Aduba, Mary J. Blige, Ne-Yo, Common and David Alan Grier. 

Latifah has earned seven Grammy Award nominations, as well as a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance in 1994. In 2004, she was nominated for Best Female Rap Solo Performance for “Go Head.” In 2005, she was nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album for “The Dana Owens Album,” and in 2008, she was nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for “Trav’lin Light.”

Flavor Unit Entertainment, the production company owned and operated by Latifah and her partner Shakim Compere, was behind the hit feature comedies BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE, BEAUTY SHOP, and THE PERFECT HOLIDAY. Flavor Unit also produced the films THE COOKOUT, JUST WRIGHT, and END OF THE ROAD, as well as cable films BESSIE, and LIFE SUPPORT. Together, Latifah and Compere produced THE REAL MVP: THE WANDA PRATT STORY, “The Best Place to Be,” “Curvy Style with Timothy Snell,” “The Perfect Match” and “The Rap Game.” Additionally, Flavor Unit produced the one-hour special event “Dear Mama,” which premiered on Mother’s Day, and has been renewed as an annual special. 

In November of 2019, Latifah was seen as Ursula in ABC’s live-action remake of THE LITTLE MERMAID. In April 2020, she starred in the Quibi drama, WHEN THE STREET LIGHTS GO ON, and executive produced Lifetime’s THE CLARK SISTERS: FIRST LADIES OF GOSPEL which became the highest-rated original movie for Lifetime since 2016. She also headlined the Netflix sports drama HUSTLE opposite Adam Sandler along with starring and producing Ray Giarratana’s THE TIGER RISING.

Latifah most recently starred in and executive produced the CBS series reboot of “The Equalizer,” which quickly became TV’s #1 scripted series when it premiered in 2021 and ran five seasons through 2025. Next, Latifah will return as the voice of wooly mammoth “Ellie” in ICE AGE: BOILING POINT, the franchise’s 6th installment releasing on February 5th, 2027.

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MEDIA ALERT

TICKET ON-SALE DATES ANNOUNCED FOR THE 52ND AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS

AXS.COM

Pre-Sale Tickets Available on Wednesday, March 25 at 10:00 a.m. PT

General On-Sale Starts Friday, March 27 at 10:00 a.m. PT

The Star-Studded Annual Special Airs Live on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT on CBS and Paramount+

[EDITOR’S NOTE]: Media assets available here

• Tickets for the 52nd American Music Awards (AMAs) go on sale this week on AXS.com, giving fans the opportunity to experience this can’t-miss epic celebration of music live and in person!

• As one of music’s most anticipated nights of the year, the 52nd American Music Awards returns to CBS and Paramount+ on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25 from the world-renowned MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the largest venue in the show’s history, to honor the most influential artists and songs of today alongside unforgettable performances and special moments in a multi-genre, cross-generational celebration of music.

• TICKET PRE-SALE: Tickets for the American Music Awards will be available for pre-sale beginning 10:00 a.m. PT/12:00 p.m. CT/1:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 25. Sign up at TheAMAs.com/Presale to receive a pre-sale code that will grant you access to purchase tickets in advance of the general public on-sale.

• GENERAL PUBLIC TICKET ON-SALE: Tickets will go on sale to the general public at 10:00 a.m. PT/12:00 p.m. CT/1:00 p.m. ET on Friday, March 27 at AXS.com.

• Nominations for the 52nd American Music Awards will be announced on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Fan voting opens the same day, April 14, and will remain open until May 8, 2026.

• Additional details, including performers, presenters, and special honorees for the 52nd AMAs, will be announced in the coming weeks.

• Airing for the first time on Memorial Day, the 2025 AMAs kicked off summer with host Jennifer Lopez, who returned to host a decade after her AMAs hosting debut in 2015. She opened the 51st American Music Awards in spectacular fashion, delivering a non-stop, breathtaking medley of 23 of the year’s biggest hits. Performances included ICON Award recipient Janet Jackson; Alex Warren, Becky G and Manuel Turizo, Benson Boone, Blake Shelton, Gloria Estefan, Gwen Stefani, Lainey Wilson, Reneé Rapp, and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Rod Stewart.

• Named one of 2025’s most-watched television specials, last year’s top-rated 51st American Music Awards reached over 10 million unique viewers across its CBS and Paramount+ premiere on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, and encores on MTV, CMT, and BET. The CBS broadcast marked the show’s largest audience since 2019 with a +38% increase over its last live airing in 2022 on ABC.

About the American Music Awards:

• Celebrating the year’s most iconic music, the American Music Awards is the world’s largest fan-voted award show, honoring today’s most influential artists and their passionate fanbases.
• Created by legendary producer and visionary Dick Clark and first awarded in 1974, the American Music Awards is known for delivering half a century worth of iconic performances and enduring moments that have defined and shaped pop culture, as well as a history of introducing audiences to breakthrough artists.
• The American Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions.

For the latest news, exclusive content, and updates, follow the AMAs:

Website: TheAMAs.com

X: @AMAs

Instagram: @AMAs

TikTok: @AMAs

Facebook: @AMAs

Threads: @AMAs

YouTube: @TheAMAs

Hashtag: #AMAs

About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation

Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next‐generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct‐to‐Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, CBS – America’s most‐watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information please visit www.paramount.com.

About Dick Clark Productions  

Dick Clark Productions (DCP) is the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live event entertainment programming including “The Golden Globes,” the largest awards show in the world to celebrate the best of film, television and podcasting, “American Music Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” the No. 1 entertainment special in America, “Golden Eve,” “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Rising Stars of Country Music,” Emmy®-winning series “So You Think You Can Dance,” and “American Bandstand,” the iconic and groundbreaking cultural phenomenon that defined a generation. Dick Clark Productions also possesses one of the world’s most extensive and unique entertainment archive libraries with more than 60 years of award-winning shows, historic specials, performances, and legendary programming. Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Corporation. For more information, please visit DickClark.com

About MGM Grand Garden Arena

The MGM Grand Garden Arena is home to concerts, championship boxing and premier sporting and special events. The Arena offers comfortable seating for as many as 16,800 with excellent sightlines and state-of-the-art acoustics, lighting and sound. Prominent events to date have included world championship fights between Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson as well as Floyd Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez as well as Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao; and concerts by The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Bette Midler, George Strait, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, U2, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Coldplay, Alicia Keys, Jimmy Buffett and the Barbra Streisand Millennium Concert. The MGM Grand Garden Arena also has been home to annual events including the Academy of Country Music Awards, the Billboard Music Awards, the Latin GRAMMY Awards, iHeartRadio Music Festival, Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Championship and Frozen Fury NHL pre-season games hosted by the Los Angeles Kings.

*Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on-demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live, but will have access to on-demand the day after the special airs.

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[MEDIA APPLICATION] For more about press opportunities leading up to the show and on-site in Las Vegas, please fill out the Press Credential Application at your earliest convenience.

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19 March 2026 – South by Southwest® (SXSW®), the world’s leading festival celebrating the convergence of creativity, culture and technology, today reveals the first musical acts set to perform at SXSW London 2026, as the festival returns to transform East London into a vibrant week-long cultural discovery.

Taking place 1–6 June, the SXSW London Music Festival will once again bring together artists from across the globe, presenting emerging voices and underground scenes alongside established acts including Tiwa Savage, ODUMODUBLVCK, Rachel Chinouriri and Circa Waves.

Spanning venues, clubs and cultural spaces across Shoreditch, the programme reflects the diversity of sound and community that defines the UK music landscape, while connecting it to global talent and audiences. Following the success of its inaugural year, SXSW London returns bigger and bolder, cementing its place as a unique destination where discovery sits side-by-side with globally recognised artists and special guest performances.

Adem Holness, Head of Music at SXSW London, says: “At a moment when technology can generate endless music, what really shapes the future are the communities and scenes where artists push culture forward in their own contexts. SXSW London brings those global scenes together in one place. From artists like Sega Bodega reimagining live electronic performance, to bands like Shame building careers on their own terms, and artists like ODUMODUBLVCK bypassing genre and fusing his cultural influences into something entirely his own. The future of music isn’t uniform.”

SXSW London is about championing emerging and cutting-edge artists from underground scenes, next to established acts. Bringing those worlds together across East London creates a space where discovery, community and globally recognised talent can exist side by side.

Music wristbands for SXSW London Music Festival have just gone on sale and available HERE with prices starting from £25 for a one-day wristband, or £79 for the full duration of the festival.

Programming a line-up of more than 200 artists, the festival has also confirmed 37 co-curators to shape the program, uniting breakthrough talent, global voices, and bold sonic perspectives has also been revealed and includes: Afro Folk Rising, @bbcasiannetwork, @bbcintroducing, Becca D's Deadly, Biteback, @thebritishmusicembasy,@clashmagazine, Classical Unlocked, @crackmagazine, DJ Ace's Everything R&B, End of The Trail, FOCUS Wales,@generatorhq, GMIA x Premier Gospel, @hackneyempire, @hospitalrecords, @huckmagazine, Island Wave x ReggaeRecipe Live!, Jawani 4Eva, Latino Life, @mahogany, New Gen Artistry, @notion, @oneofftraks, Parlay Records x A Class, @pitchscotland, @reprezentradio, @royalcollegeofart, Art Scream Records, @scr_radio, Soul Surge, Sound Villa, @soundsqueerhq, @thebritschool, @rmaofficialuk, @tldrecs

The festival is also collaborating with industry professionals who bring deep cultural expertise and a global perspective of the underground music scene, to curate and judge this year’s music program.  Made up of nearly 100 music heads with rich experience in grassroots programming, each plays a critical role in selecting the breakthrough artists who will take to the SXSW London stage in June, with representatives from Tileyard, Universal Music, Koko, Village Underground, Dreamland, and more.  Full list 2026 Music Jurors

FOR ALL PRESS ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT

SXSWLONDON@DDAGLOBAL.COM

About SXSW London 2026

Powered by the dynamism and diversity of Shoreditch, SXSW London has become the preeminent global platform for the convergence of business, technology and creativity.

Stretched across the streets of East London, the festival is unapologetically progressive and provocative. Contemporary life moves faster and faster. SXSW London fearlessly embraces the growing landscape at the intersection of technology and culture to connect speakers, delegates and performances beyond any single industry. The SXSW London community seeks provocative debates that resonate in a global city, known for its openness to opposing voices. In a time of uncertainty, SXSW London offers innovators and freethinkers practical optimism and a unique lens with which to navigate real world problems with clarity. Join us for a unique week of insights, networking and discovery across film, music, the visual arts, business and tech. Discover the future intelligence that upends established ideas and leave with frontier thinking for a new competitive edge.

About The Special Guests

TIWA SAVAGE is a huge force in Africa’s music and entertainment industry, conquering the charts in her home country of Nigeria and becoming one of the most recognisable faces in the Afrobeats scene.  2018 was the most successful and strongest year for African star Tiwa Savage to date. The singer, songwriter, philanthropist and fashion icon was crowned Best African Act by the MTV European Music Awards and made history as the first female to win the accolade. In the same year also became the first African female to sell out London’s IndigO2 and she was handpicked by Coldplay’s lead singer Chris Martin to perform alongside Beyonce, Ed Sheeran and Jay Z live at the Global Citizen Festival in Johannesburg to an 70,000 strong audience and millions across the globe.

ODUMODUBLVCK is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter and is a leading voice in Drill music. He coined Okporoko Rhythms, blending Grime, Afrobeat, and R&B.  Since his debut single in 2017, he's championed his story, determined to redefine African music. ODUMODUBLVCK is a key figure in Nigeria's music scene, reaping the rewards of years of dedication.

EARL SWEATSHIRT is an American rapper and music producer. American rapper and producer known for his intricate lyricism, abstract production, and early association with the Odd Future collective. He has evolved from a teenage "hip-hop prodigy" into one of the most influential voices in the alternative and underground rap

INFINITY SONG, American soft rock siblings band Infinity Song is a Soft Rock band based in New York City comprised of 4 siblings, Abraham, Angel, Israel, and Momo Boyd. With a blend of tight vocal harmonies, dreamy lyricism and sublime guitar riffs, the band creates a transcendent experience for the audience on every stage and in their recorded music.

AMARIA BB Hackney-based, Jamaican-Guyanese singer-songwriter. She has been writing songs since she was a teenager. She started posting her music online in 2020 and has since gained a strong following for her unique sound. Her music is a blend of R&B, pop, and soul, with lyrics that draw from personal experiences.

RACHEL CHINOURIRI is a London-born, Zimbabwean-British singer-songwriter blending indie, alt-pop and soulful storytelling. Rising from early SoundCloud demos to breakout track 'So My Darling', she’s become one of the UK’s most exciting new voices. Her acclaimed debut album 'What a Devastating Turn of Events' landed in the Top 20 of the UK Official Charts and led to Rachel securing her first two BRIT Award nominations (Artist Of The Year, Best New Artist). Her most recent release 'Little House' features tracks like 'Can we talk about Isaac?', along with 'What A Life' and the title track. Rachel has earned support from artists like PinkPantheress, Adele, Lewis Capaldi, Sam Fender and opened for Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet tour. She will soon be joining Florence + The Machine on tour in 2026.

SEGA BODEGA was born in Ireland, raised in Glasgow and now based in London, producer, performer and label head Sega Bodega - AKA Salvador Navarrete - has built a reputation as one of the UK’s most innovative and precocious creative minds. His impact spans music, fashion and film, soundtracking some of the most important cultural moments in recent years, as well as building a catalogue of solo releases that traverse genre, style and composition. Bodega has been a crucial hand in countless projects over the past decade, from the development of artists under his NUXXE label, to production for the likes of Caroline Polachek, Oklou, Shygirl + more.

SHAME is a south London based post punk band. They consist of vocalist Charlie Steen, guitarists Eddie Green and Sean Coyle-Smith, bassist Josh Finerty, and drummer Charlie Forbes. Their early reputation was built on intense, raw live shows and confrontational lyrics, often exploring personal & social angst. They released their debut album Songs of Praise in January 2018, followed by Drunk Tank Pink in 2021, Food for Worms in 2023, and their most recent album Cutthroat in September 2025. Over the years they’ve been praised for combining sharp social commentary with energy, wit and a willingness to push sonically while retaining a punk-edge.

CIRCA WAVES is an Indie Rock Band known for their nervy, melodic indie rock.  Circa Waves was formed in Liverpool in May 2013 by Kieran Shudall. The band first gained a buzz and earned favourable comparisons to the Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, and the Vaccines before they hit the Top Ten with their debut, 2015’s Young Chasers. Buoyed by singles like ‘T-Shirt Weather’ and ‘Stuck in My Teeth’, the album reached the Top Ten of the U.K. albums chart and paved the way for a series of well-attended live shows, including a sold-out date at London’s O2 .

FRASER T SMITH is a multi-award-winning producer, songwriter and musician. He is one of the most in-demand creators in contemporary music today. He has co-written, mixed and produced 7 Number One singles in the UK. In addition to 2 Billboard Number One singles in the US, and contributed to 18 Number One albums. He has spent most of his career producing and songwriting for some of the biggest artists in the world. Some include Adele, Stormzy, Sam Smith, Florence and the Machine, Drake, Gorillaz, Kano, Dave and more.

PETE TONG has for generations of electronic music fans around the world, been the definitive voice of the scene for decades. But don’t ever think of Pete Tong as part of the establishment. In fact, throughout his varied and astonishing career, he’s been a catalyst, a genuine agent for change. And it’s all based around a simple yet relentless personal mission: to find great music and talent, and to share it with as many people as possible.

Take the Ibiza Classics project, the globally touring, live orchestral extravaganza that’s seen Tong and collaborators Jules Buckley taking electronic music to another dimension. Initially conceived as a one-off for the Proms classical music festival in 2015, translating some of the most loved dance music anthems for an orchestra to celebrate 20 years of Radio One in Ibiza, the way that Classics caught the imagination shocked even Pete: “I went to Manchester to go on breakfast TV to launch it. And by the time I came back on the train to London, we'd sold 18,000 tickets.” The original core of the idea was to reach those ravers for whom going out to clubs all night was no longer a realistic option. “Life catches up,” says Pete. “But it doesn't mean you fall out of love with the music. Those songs; ‘Promised Land’, or ‘Your Love’, ‘Cafe Del Mar’: to some people they're just as important as the Beatles or the Rolling Stones. If you were there on the dance floor at, say, Space in Ibiza, they’re in your soul for the rest of your life.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The 52^nd American Music Awards Set to Air Live from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, on CBS and Paramount+

Nominations for the World’s Largest Fan-Voted Award Show Will be Announced on April 14, 2026

[EDITOR’S NOTE]: Media assets available here

Los Angeles, CA — March 10, 2026 — Today, CBS and Dick Clark Productions (DCP), the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live event entertainment programming, announced the 52^nd American Music Awards (AMAs) will air live on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The star-studded must-see event will air coast-to-coast at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT on CBS and stream live and on demand on Paramount+.

As one of music’s most anticipated nights of the year, the 2026 AMAs will honor the most influential artists and songs of today, alongside unforgettable performances and special moments, in a multi-genre, cross-generational celebration of music.

Nominations for the 52^nd American Music Awards will be announced on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Fan voting powers the AMAs, with voting officially opening on Tuesday, April 14 and closing on Friday, May 8.

Additional details, including performers, presenters, special honorees, and ticket on-sale for the 52^nd AMAs, will be announced in the coming weeks.

Last year’s top-rated 51st American Music Awards reached over 10 million unique viewers across its CBS and Paramount+ premiere on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, and encores on MTV, CMT, and BET. The CBS broadcast marked the show’s largest audience since 2019 with a +38% increase over its last live airing in 2022 on ABC.

Airing for the first time on Memorial Day, the 2025 AMAs kicked off summer with host Jennifer Lopez, who returned to host for the first time in 10 years and opened the show in spectacular fashion, delivering a non-stop, breathtaking medley of 23 of the year’s biggest hits. Performances included ICON Award recipient Janet Jackson; Alex Warren, Becky G and Manuel Turizo, Benson Boone, Blake Shelton, Gloria Estefan, Gwen Stefani, Lainey Wilson, Reneé Rapp, and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Rod Stewart.

About the American Music Awards:

• Celebrating the year’s most iconic music, the American Music Awards is the world’s largest fan-voted award show, honoring today’s most influential artists and their passionate fanbases.
• Created by legendary producer and visionary Dick Clark and first awarded in 1974, the American Music Awards is known for delivering half a century worth of iconic performances and enduring moments that have defined and shaped pop culture, as well as a history of introducing audiences to breakthrough artists.
• The American Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions.

For the latest news, exclusive content, and updates, follow the AMAs:

Website: TheAMAs.com

X: @AMAs

Instagram: @AMAs

TikTok: @AMAs

Facebook: @AMAs

Threads: @AMAs

YouTube: @TheAMAs

Hashtag: #AMAs

About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation

Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next‐generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct‐to‐Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, CBS – America’s most‐watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information please visit www.paramount.com.

About Dick Clark Productions  

Dick Clark Productions (DCP) is the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live event entertainment programming including “The Golden Globes,” the largest awards show in the world to celebrate the best of film, television and podcasting, “American Music Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” the No. 1 entertainment special in America, “Golden Eve,” “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Rising Stars of Country Music,” Emmy®-winning series “So You Think You Can Dance,” and “American Bandstand,” the iconic and groundbreaking cultural phenomenon that defined a generation. Dick Clark Productions also possesses one of the world’s most extensive and unique entertainment archive libraries with more than 60 years of award-winning shows, historic specials, performances, and legendary programming. Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Corporation. For more information, please visit DickClark.com

*Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on-demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live, but will have access to on-demand the day after the special airs.

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[MEDIA APPLICATION] For more about press opportunities leading up to the show and on-site in Las Vegas, please fill out the Press Credential Application at your earliest convenience.

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Austin, Texas – February 18, 2026: Today, Penske Media Corporation’s (PMC) iconic brands announced a dynamic lineup of activations taking place at this year’s South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conference and Festival in Austin, TX, March 12-18, 2026. The brands hosting must-see experiences, panel discussions, fireside chats, concerts and more include The American Pavilion, Artforum, Billboard, Deadline, Rolling Stone, SHE Media and Variety.

March 12-18: Building on its storied 36-year history at the Cannes Film Festival, The American Pavilion's Worldwide Student Program returns to SXSW next month for the third year. As part of IndieWire’s “Future of Filmmaking” initiative, twenty students will participate in an unparalleled experiential learning experience and behind the scenes look at the world of film. For more information about the program, contact mbremer@ampav.com.

March 12-14: Rolling Stone returns to Austin with its highly anticipated Future of Music showcase, a three-night concert series celebrating the trailblazing artists shaping the music of tomorrow. U.K. pop singer Lola Young, who broke through with hits including “Messy,” will headline opening night on Thursday, March 12, bringing her raw, soulful songwriting and powerhouse vocals to the SXSW stage. The pioneering Mexican American group Fuerza Regida will headline Friday, March 13, showcasing their arena-sized energy and urban corrido sound. Texas native BigXthaPlug will close out the three-night run on Saturday, March 14, delivering his booming, gravel-throated flow and vivid storytelling heard on breakout tracks like “Texas.”

March 13-15: Billboard's THE STAGE at SXSW is returning to Austin, TX for three nights of exceptional live music performances at the iconic Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park from Friday, March 13, through Sunday, March 15. Billboard THE STAGE at SXSW will kick off on Friday, March 13, with a performance from genre-defying hip-hop/R&B artist Don Toliver. The series continues on Saturday, March 14, with Música Mexicana powerhouse Junior H bringing his signature sound to the stage. Internationally acclaimed Dutch-DJ and Global hit-making Producer Mau P will close out the series on Sunday, March 15, with an electrifying set.

March 13-16: Deadline’s signature Portrait & Video Studio will be at SXSW 2026. This private event activation will feature photography and interviews with filmmakers and storytellers from the festival’s featured lineup of programming. Additionally, on March 13, Deadline’s Editorial Director Anthony D’Alessandro will host a one-on-one conversation with actor Andrew Scott as he discusses the trajectory of his career as well as his partnership with Redbreast Whiskey and their “Unhidden Gems” campaign at the Omni Hotel in Austin.

March 14: Artforum presents a conversation with Chicago-based contemporary artist Jason Salavon, Hannah Klemm, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, and Kathleen Forde, Curator of Digital & Media Art at the Thoma Foundation, for a discussion about the use of software to reconfigure media and data sets into artistic works. “Data Storytelling in Contemporary Art: A Fireside Chat” will be held at SXSW’s Innovation Clubhouse on Saturday, March 14 from 2:30-3:30pm.

March 14 & 15: The award-winning SHE Media Co-Lab returns to SXSW for its fourth year, spotlighting the ideas, leaders, and innovations shaping the future of women’s health.
Confirmed speakers include Dr. Vonda Wright, Scott Galloway, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Constance Zimmer, Gabby Reece, and Robin Arzón, with additional speakers to be announced. RSVP HERE.

March 12-14: Variety will be on the ground at SXSW with several events for festival attendees, talent, filmmakers, creators and more. Variety will host the first-ever True Crime Summit, presented by Investigation Discovery (ID), spotlighting the crime genre phenomenon. The full day event will explore the cultural obsession with stories of mystery, justice and deception that continue to dominate film, television, and audio storytelling. Variety will also host a to be announced Podcasting-focused event with Google on March 14.

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About Penske Media Corporation

Penske Media Corporation (PMC) is a leading global media and information services company whose award-winning content attracts a passionate monthly audience of more than 350 million. Since 2004, PMC has been a pioneer in digital media and live events, reaching viewers on all screens across its ever-growing constellation of iconic brands, which includes Variety, Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Dick Clark Productions, WWD, SHE Media, Robb Report, Deadline, Sportico, ARTnews, Fairchild Media, Vibe, IndieWire, Artforum, Gold Derby and Luminate, the premier data and analytics company. PMC’s journalists and content creators deliver daily the most comprehensive news and information in their industries and areas of coverage, unequaled in ambition, depth, and courage. In addition, PMC owns several of the most iconic and vital cultural events such as The Golden Globes, Country Music Awards (ACMs), Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs), New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, SXSW, American Music Awards (AMAs), and Latin Music Week. Penske Media is headquartered in New York and Los Angeles with additional offices in 14 countries worldwide, for more information, please visit www.PMC.com.

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